Austin Bank Announces Community Involvement Award Winners

During the January Board meeting, Austin Bank announced the 2005 Community Involvement Award recipients. In keeping with their commitment to their employees and the community, Austin Bank recognized the service of employees and officers to their local community through participation with civic and non-profit organizations. This was the first year for implementation of the program.

President and CEO, Ronny Lee stated, “Our staff involvement with these organizations helps in providing services to our community through leadership and financial expertise. We are dedicated to giving back to the communities that we serve. Additionally, the participation in these organizations promotes housing, education, health, job retention and development in communities throughout East Texas.”

The recipients each receive $500 with another $500 donated to the organization they serve. Recipients of the 2005 Community Involvement Awards are Minerva Valle, Daniel Sitton, Francis Spruiell, and Patty Steelman.

Minerva Valle , Teller in the Austin Bank Tyler Downtown office, received an award for her participation with Templo Ebenezer where her contributions include maintaining the clerical records of the church, serving as secretary for the production team, and teaching young girls. Templo Ebenezer provides the Hispanic community a place to reunite and worship freely. They also provide a haven to assist individuals with financial needs. Minerva has used has her bank expertise and bilingual skills to provide seminars on bank products to the congregation at Templo Ebenezer.

Daniel Sitton is a board member of Smith County Champions for Children, Inc. The mission of Smith County Champions for Children is to prevent child abuse and neglect through education and to provide all Smith County children from birth to five years of age with a safe, healthy, smart start to life. They focus on preventing problems before they occur. Daniel uses his skills in technology to help the organization and works with the annual fundraiser. Daniel works in the Technology Department of Austin Bank and offices in Rusk.

Francis Spruiell was recognized for her participation with Young Life. She has served on the Nacogdoches Committee (board) of Young Life for the past three years since its inception in Nacogdoches. She promotes awareness of the organization to the community and assists with fundraising and awareness. Young Life, which began in 1941, is a non-profit organization committed to making an impact on kids’ lives and preparing them for the future. Spruiell serves as the Location President in the Austin Bank Nacogdoches Branch.

Patty Steelman , Marketing Director for Austin Bank, serves on the board of the Literacy Council of Tyler. In 2005, she served as Vice President of Community Affairs and was elected as the 2006 Chairman of the Major Donations Development Committee. The Literacy Council improves lives of individuals through educational services. They helped over 2,700 adults in 2005 through literacy instruction, GED completion, and English as a second language programs. Additionally, the Literacy Council has programs for youth, family, and the workplace. Patty offices in Whitehouse while providing marketing direction to all twenty-one Austin Bank locations.

In addition to the these awards, Austin Bank contributed over a quarter of a million dollars back into the East Texas communities they serve during 2005. These monies were contributed through donations-both monetary and in-kind-and sponsorship of events.

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